The Tombs of Haidar and Tipu, Ganjam.

This photograph of the tombs of Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan, Ganjam taken in the 1890s by an unknown photographer, is from the Curzon Collection's 'Souvenir of Mysore Album'.Haidar Ali (1722-1782) and his son Tipu Sultan (1750-1799), two great rulers and Indian Nationalists, were indomitable opponents of the colonial regime and fiercely resisted British expansionist policy. Tipu, also known as "The Tiger of Mysore", died in battle against the British in 1799 at Seringapatam. The caption from the album tells us, "There are three tombs; those of Haidar, Tipu, and Tipu's mother. Each is covered with a handsome gold embroidered pall. A tablet on Tipu's tomb has in verse the following expressions: - The light of Islam and the faith left this world; Tipu became a martyr for the faith of Muhammad; the sword was lost; the offspring of Haidar was a great martyr."